Members of the Sikhs for Equality Foundation, Phagwara, along with the Alliance of Sikh Organisations, staged a peaceful roadside demonstration at Guru Hargobind Nagar in Phagwara on Thursday. They called for the establishment of an independent Punjab Truth, Accountability and Reconciliation Commission to investigate alleged human rights violations during Punjab’s militancy period.
Protest Demands: Truth and Justice for Victims
Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters urged the Government of India and the Punjab government to initiate a transparent process to uncover the truth behind thousands of alleged enforced disappearances, fake police encounters, custodial killings, and other human rights violations that reportedly took place between 1980 and 2000. They maintained that many affected families continue to await justice and official acknowledgment of their cases.
During the protest, speakers paid tribute to human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, stating that he had risked his life to expose the alleged illegal cremation of more than 25,000 unidentified bodies in Punjab. They said Khalra’s work brought international attention to the issue, but claimed that many questions surrounding the disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings remain unanswered.
Demand for Independent Commission and Film Ban Removal
The organisations demanded that an independent Truth, Accountability and Reconciliation Commission, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, be constituted to conduct a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into all alleged cases of enforced disappearances, fake encounters, and human rights violations during the period. They said the findings of such an inquiry should become part of the official public record to ensure transparency and historical accountability.
The protesters also called for the immediate removal of the ban on the film Satluj, arguing that the film highlights issues related to the life and work of Jaswant Singh Khalra and contributes to public understanding of that period in Punjab’s history.
Call for Justice, Compensation, and Accountability
In addition, the demonstrators demanded that victims’ families be provided justice, compensation, dignity, and official recognition. They stressed that those responsible for any proven violations should be held accountable in accordance with the law.
Addressing the gathering, the organisers said that acknowledging difficult chapters of history is essential for reconciliation and lasting peace. They argued that democratic societies are strengthened by confronting the truth rather than suppressing it and reiterated their demand for an independent commission to establish the facts and help bring closure to affected families. The protest concluded peacefully.
